Well Recorded Electric Guitar}

Submitted by: Karl Turka

Well recorded electric guitar part 2

In the first part of this article, we have been looking at the traditional method of electric guitar recording sound registration with the microphone cooperating with the amplifier. Ill be always recommending is firstly because there is no better way. However, I know that sometimes its simply impossible to make a registration in this way (conditions of accommodation, weak equipment). Then we have to plug in an instrument on instrumental input on interface (or via DI Box) or using hardware amplifier simulations and then put it on interface line-input.

Id like to mention that even if you have got real amplifier, its worth to make a registration of clear, direct signal because it will be needed in the next phase. If you wouldnt be satisfied, there will always be an additional copy of a part registered without any character given. Then it will be easy to choose good sound and use plugs or Re-amping method. Despite the fact that in a phase of edition the clear part would show waveform and then it will facilitate an alignment of a track terms of time. You just need to group both tracks (from amplifier and a direct one) and edit taking as a reference the direct part. As we know, there is some problems with the part from amplifier (sometimes it is compressed or changed in a different way and it hinders to recognize accents. No one said that we have to listen to this humdrum DI signal, but it will be an excellent reference to edition.

How to record a direct signal and a signal from amplifier at once?

Ive already mentioned DI Box. This appliance has usually one instrumental input (with a very high impedance), which is adapted to get the signal from a guitar (or bass). Inside the box, the signal is divided into two outputs for the connection with an amplifier (called Through and realized through TS jack), the second is symmetric and it is dedicated to take a signal to the interface (or mixer), which is looking for a signal with low impedance. Then you have to attach a microphone to an amplifier and take the signal to the interface. This is the way to register at once the part which is theoretically the same, but in fact is sounds differently on two separated tracks.

During this process, you have to remember that time of signal will be different the signal from a microphone will be delayed relative to the direct signal (its way is longer). Those differences should be inconsiderable, but it is possible that after the summing you will get an unwanted phasing effect or deviations of some periodicities (it depends on microphone techniques and other factors). Then you will have to move the track from microphone manually on the timeline.

If you dont have DI Box (ex. I dont have one), you can record a direct signal firstly and then let it out by one of additional outputs of the interface (supposing you have got more than two main outputs) and then connect them with an amplifier, setup an expected sound and plug a microphone to the result of all operation. Re-Amp Box would be needed for this operation (it works exactly in the opposite way to DI Box and changes a symmetric signal to asymmetric one with a high impedance which is wanted in the input of an amplifier). Nevertheless, it isnt necessary, it is possible to bypass this element you wont lose very much if you do it without the Box.

Have we got more possibilities?

If you dispose lots of effect, amplifiers simulations etc, then (depending on the model) it is possible to register more than one signal. Line 6 POD X3 Live or Eleven Rack have outputs at the same time for a signal processed and a clear, direct signal from a guitar. If we get a satisfactory sound from this appliance, its worth to put the direct signal in our DAW for future edition. If youre not the best guitar player, like me, it would be very helpful.

I also have another conclusion. My dedicated, external one-channel microphone preamplifier has two (rightly three) outputs, the signal from both is very fluent and thats why I can use it as DI Box. I can do re-amping without any problems (the second output has two options: symmetric and asymmetric – two different plugs), and I can send the signal directly to line input (symmetric) in the interface. Its really good.

Lately, there are new appliances available guitar amplifier simulations in the form of bars (stomp type). These are fully analog devices which unite the way of input from an amplifiers and the line output of the interface (like in POD). Thats why we can register processed signal from amplifiers simulations without using a microphone and annoying the environment. Ive bought Tech 21 Character Series British some tie ago and now I consider an expansion of the variety of sound by some new variants.

Were going back again to the keynote of this article and were going to look how to create a sound from the clear DI signal. Lets abandon the sound of an amplifier which was discussed in the previous article.

Plug-ins simulating guitar amplifiers

There is a lot of available plug-ins in this type. It is possible to find some really good simulations, which are paid, but there is still something for free for unprofessional users. I recommend to follow the websites like KVRAudio, where we can find information about those products. This site is a great source of information about different VTS products, also the free ones.

The commercial options:

1. IK Multimedia Amplitube 3

2. Native Instruments Guitar Rig

3. Peavey ReValver MK III

4. Waves GTR3 / GTR Solo

5. McDSP Chrome Tone

6. SansAmp

7. Line 6 Pod Farm

8. Mellowmuse MellowHead

9. Softube Vintage Amp Room / Metal Amp Room

10. Overloud Th 2

11. Studio Devil Virtual Guitar Amp

12. Universal Audio Nigel

And much more! It is worth to download DEMO versions of this product and try them on your own, before any investments. Dont forget that in some workstations include amplifiers simulations which may be sufficient to meet basic needs. Personally, I like to use Eleven included in Pro Tools for free in cutted version Ive expanded it to full version and I dont regret.

To create an interesting sound it is needed to manipulate in some plug-ins. Every plug-in will have saved presets, like a start point, but the real fun starts in the moment of interference in the setting. For example Amplitube 3 gives an possibility of pairing different amplifiers and types of microphones, manipulating voices from the accommodation, breaking signals on two tracks, connecting two different simulations and so on

For several hundred dollars we have an access to thousands combinations, unlimited possibilities and endless fun. I really recommend to try some settings, but I also have to warn you- there is a trap it such a big number of possibilities. You can never decide which sound is the best for you and you will always change something. I always try not to spend more than 10-20 minutes on searching the best sound and record processed signal on new track, then I deactivate original track with plug-in to save processor power and then move forward! In case of necessity to change something, I can still activate the track with inserted simulation, do all changes and record the new one. I always try to avoid it but having a possibility is very important.

Speakers responses

The thing becomes more interesting when we dispose impulses created for the convolution technique. Someone invented the way to register speakers response (Impulse Response) paired with particular amplifiers as a short audio files it gives the access to real simulations. The main idea is to put that type of audio file in plug supporting weaves (ex. like Convolution Reverb) and to get strengthened guitar signal. Due to the fact that some of plug-ins gives an opportunity of signal tooling in two phases, we can skip included speaker simulation and send strengthened signal straight to the chosen speaker. The results can be very convicting.

The last option mentioned is talking about different grounds, which also can surprise by the amount of combinations and sounds. If we will get a device, one again well have lots of hours of fun. Its worth to read the instruction to use all potential. Another advantage of this device is the possibility of using it on the stage firstly, they look great and make an impression, then we also have an access to lots of effect in one, big box.

The summary

Registration of a direct signal isnt very difficult. If you follow universal rules of setting the amplifier, you will get a good signal to edit. Creating the sound with plug-ins or another combinations isnt so clear everyone has to choose his own style. All the more, each guitar player needs to have his original sound and we can help him in some way, but the final decision is him

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